He said: “We already knew they were a good side – you only need to look at their league position – and I know some of their players who have previously played for me.

“They are very direct and their front three are all good players, but they don’t get back often and we see that as something we can exploit.

“But it could not be much tougher for us, and if we progress it will be a bonus, but I would rather have three points in the league, to be honest.”

Brightlingsea finished fifth in Division One last season in their first year following promotion from the Kent Blaxill Border League, but are currently in ninth place and 13 points behind leaders Newmarket Town.

After losing four of their opening six league games, Brightlingsea have won six of their last seven, resulting in the club winning the bi-monthly award for the best overall performance in October and November in the Thurlow Nunn League.

Webster said: “It is nice to be recognised and we are on a good run, but promotion has always been the aim and will continue to be until it is mathematically impossible.

“Cup runs are great and everyone enjoys them, but we want to get out of the First Division.”

Webster said their slow start was as a result of an injury sustained by goalkeeper Darren Moyes just before the start of the season.

“We signed Darren Moyes from Whitton United as our No.1 and he injured his shoulder just before the start of the season. We had to play a reserve goalkeeper and it resonated through the team. There was no confidence in the back four.

“I managed to re-sign Dan Beeson, who was our goalkeeper when we won promotion from the Border League, and we have not looked back since.

“He kept something like 24 clean sheets that season and since his arrival has filled everyone with confidence and kept seven clean sheets in ten or 11 games.”